BENGALURU — Amid
the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, 94 per
cent of desk workers in Indians feel the urgency to master the advanced
technology, according to a report on Tuesday.
Slack’s new Workforce Index showed that AI adoption is on
the rise in India with 61 per cent of Indian desk workers using AI in their
jobs and 80 per cent excited about the prospect of AI replacing some tasks.
India's progress in AI adoption underscores the growing
prioritisation of AI among its executives and reflects a heightened sense of
urgency among business leaders to unlock its transformative potential.
The report, based on a survey of 1,029 desk workers in
India, showed that although 94 per cent workers are keen to skill up on AI, 40
per cent have spent less than five hours total learning how to use the
technology. About 30 per cent of global workers said they’ve had no AI training
at all, including no self-directed learning or experimentation.
“India’s workforce is leading the way in AI adoption, with
61 per cent of desk workers already integrating AI into their roles. This
enthusiasm highlights the transformative potential of AI and its alignment with
leadership priorities for innovation and upskilling,” said Rahul Sharma, Vice
President - Sales, Salesforce India.
“However, to fully harness AI’s benefits, there remains
uncertainty that agents can address. By introducing AI agents with clearly
defined roles and guidelines, businesses can reduce worker anxiety and foster
seamless integration into daily tasks,” Sharma said.
While Indian workers are leading the way on AI adoption
globally, the research points to some uncertainty and discomfort around AI
usage. About 21 per cent of Indian workers report feeling uncomfortable admitting
AI use to their managers for fear they might be seen as incompetent, lazy, or
cheating.
To realise the benefits of AI, employers need to encourage
employees to use the technology and equip them with the training and guidance
needed to work successfully in this new era, the report suggested.
